The news gets worse for the Browns day by day.
Late Wednesday afternoon, starting defensive end Desmond Bryant was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list with an irregular heartbeat. Bryant, 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, is not in a hospital but, “in order to correct the issue, this week he will undergo a minor heart procedure,” Browns spokesman Zak Gilbert said in an email.
Bryant reported symptoms on Monday, and not for the first time. He experienced the same condition during a Thursday night game against the Bills on Oct. 3. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic, where he spent the night. He was released the next day. He played 10 days later against the Lions and made three tackles.
Bryant was on the field for 64 percent of the time on defense (47 snaps), his typical rotation, and made two tackles against the Jaguars last Sunday.
This is not a new problem for Bryant. He experienced an irregular heartbeat while with the Raiders last year. The Browns were aware of it, but still signed him to a five-year, $34 million contract because they were confident the condition could be controlled with medication.
Bryant sacked Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill twice in the first game of the season. He followed that with a shared sack of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and then nailed Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder once in the third game. He has had no sacks since.
Bryant ranks 11th on the team with 45 tackles. Billy Winn is behind Bryant on the depth chart.McFadden time
Leon McFadden will be the nickel back beginning Sunday because Chris Owens is out for the rest of the season. He isn’t saying whether he will line up over the slot receiver when the Browns use five defensive backs.
Defensive coordinator Ray Horton could put Buster Skrine on the slot receiver and McFadden on the corner. Players say being in the slot is more difficult.
“Whatever scheme we roll with, wherever I fit in, that’s where I’m going to play,” McFadden said in the locker room Wednesday.
McFadden is a third-round draft pick from San Diego State. He and a fan sitting in the fourth row of the Dawg Pound are tied with zero tackles from scrimmage. McFadden has four special teams tackles.
The rookie has been getting some time when the Browns use six defensive backs, but his most extensive action should come Sunday. Rookie DB Jordan Poyer could also see more playing time.
“It’s helped a lot,” McFadden said. “The more you know, the longer you’ll last in the league and that’s what they keep saying. Being put in different positions and fitting in the scheme, I’m there taking advantage of all opportunities.”
Owens was injured late in the Jacksonville game last Sunday. He was seventh on the team with 54 tackles.Injury report
Browns — Quarterback Brandon Weeden (concussion) and quarterback Jason Campbell (concussion) did not practice. …Linebacker Craig Robertson (knee), linebacker Tank Carder and tight end MarQueis Gray (hamstring) were limited.
Patriots – Tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle), wide receiver Aaron Dobson (foot) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (non-injury) did not practice.Tyms promoted
Wide receiver Brian Tyms was promoted from the practice squad to fill Bryant’s spot on the roster. Tyms was signed off the Dolphins’ practice squad on Oct. 22 and spent the required three weeks with the Browns before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad.
By NFL rule, a team signing a practice squad player is required to keep him on the active roster a minimum of three weeks.